Personal Statement: The Starbucks College Achievement Plan

For the past 22 years of my life, I have gone by my birth name, Angelica Leyva. Currently, I am attending Arizona State, double majoring in Sociology and Family & Human Development. I am one of the very fortunate Starbucks partners taking advantage of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan. The Starbucks College Achievement Plan is a partnership Starbucks Coffee Company has with Arizona State University. As a result of this partnership, Starbucks partners are able to obtain an online bachelor’s degree at no cost. (Free coffee AND free school? YES!). Currently, I reside in the city of Long Beach, California. I was born in the city of Orange, California, a few miles north from Long Beach, which made the transition away from home somewhat bearable.

As religious studies and sociology scholars, the best way to approach religious beliefs is to understand the various factors that make religious groups what they are. These various factors include a human being’s need to belong, which is defined as a socialization factor, and a human being’s ability to attach meaning to things, such as words, things, and sounds (Johnstone, 2006).

In chapter 1, The Sociological Perspective, Ronald Johnstone states that social phenomena are interrelated. This assumption concludes that religion influences, and is influenced, by others (Johnstone, 2006). Johnstone adds the study of religion is empirical; meaning one can reach conclusions based on observable data. Chapter 1 in American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, Robert Putman and David Campbell (2012) identify the Faith Matters Surveys as the detailed examinations that provide greater insight into the lives of Americans in terms of their religious

The people who practice religion are deemed to want answers and services provided by the religion itself (Johnstone, 2006).

To an extent, I agree with the rational choice theory, particularly in the aspect of religious participants seeking to maximize their rewards and gains. From personal encounters, people who are devoted to their religion seek comfort in the unknown, such as heaven and hell. Many perceive religion as answer to their questions of the afterlife and many perceive religion as the pathway to heaven, if one exists. There is not a single person I have had the pleasure of meeting that is religious for the sole purpose of participating or engaging in religious practices. They are seeking to gain something from the experience as a whole, even if it is simply exposing them to God for when their time to meet Him approaches. To my current understanding, as well as experience, I do not know of any other reasons why people choose to be religious. That is a topic I look forward to learning more about in this